WE AS INDIVIDUALS should be willing to bring Jesus out to the world. We have seen churches come and go. We have seen men and women come and go who once had fire for God, but are no more. Where do we stand in the scheme of things in the world? Do we stand with God.........the kingdom has come, or do we stand against God as a "silent majority"?
We are not trying to please men but God, who tests our hearts. 5 You know we never used flattery, nor did we put on a mask to cover up greed-God is our witness. 6 We were not looking for praise from men, not from you or anyone else. NIV
ANYONE delivering the gospel, anyone entrusted with it, will never use flattery and will not look for praise from men. Anyone entrusted with it will look to how it pleases God!
Are we entrusted with the gospel? Yes, especially when not pleasing man BUT GOD! Is God being blessed by it? Does God tell you how important it is? Does He reveal more Word to you bringing revelation to those things He desires for you to give to others?
Jesus came and with Him was an influence. He had the word of God and the trust in the word that would heal and make whole. It was knowing what that Word spoke and how a person's life would be changed by it.
He was never flaunting, but always reflecting that light, AND revelation knowledge of the scriptures laid down by Him. May the Lord find us fulfilling Matthew 24:46....May we be that wise servant fullfilling our role in what was established for us from the foundation of the world.
Giving food in due season ....giving food of the Word of God.......serving that with which we have been served. Do we spend time to get into the Word and allow it to speak to us? And then, will we deliver it to others, to those in need? Will we not do that? Will we do it or wait for others who might come with that A word, but not THE WORD to deliver others out of a bondage that brings ultimate death?
Jude 5-11............5 But I want to remind you, though you once knew this, that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward
destroyed those who did not believe. 6 And the angels who did not keep their proper domain, but left their own abode, He has reserved in everlasting chains under darkness for the judgment of the great day; 7 as Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities around them in a similar manner to these,
having given themselves over to sexual immorality and gone after strange flesh, are set forth as an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire. 8 Likewise also these dreamers defile the flesh, reject authority, and speak evil of dignitaries. 9 Yet Michael the archangel, in contending with the devil, when he disputed about the body of Moses, dared not bring against him a reviling accusation, but said, "The Lord rebuke you!" 10 But these speak evil of whatever they do not know; and whatever they know naturally, like brute beasts, in these things they corrupt themselves. 11 Woe to them!
For they have gone in the way of Cain, have run greedily in the error of Balaam for profit, and perished in the rebellion of Korah. NKJV
They have gone in the way of Cain, have run greedily in the error of Balaam for profit and perished in the rebellion of Korah!
GONE THE WAY OF CAIN:
Genesis 4:5-12............5 but on Cain and his offering he did not look with favor. So Cain was very angry, and his face was downcast.
6 Then the LORD said to Cain, "Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast? 7 If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must master it."
8 Now Cain said to his brother Abel, "Let's go out to the field." And while they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother Abel and killed him.
9 Then the LORD said to Cain, "Where is your brother Abel?"
"I don't know," he replied. "Am I my brother's keeper?"
10 The LORD said, "What have you done? Listen! Your brother's blood cries out to me from the ground. 11 Now you are under a curse and driven from the ground, which opened its mouth to receive your brother's blood from your hand. 12 When you work the ground, it will no longer yield its crops for you. You will be a restless wanderer on the earth." NIV
In Cain we see sin and rebellion. Cain was upset that God did not like his offering. He became angry for he toiled and worked the ground, yet God desired that offering that pleased Him. He desired the sheep without spot. That sacrifice to God was to be one of shed blood. It was not a crop from the ground! God's direction and guidance to Cain did not impact him in anyway. In the field, where the crop was planted that Cain desired to give God, he, Cain killed his brother Abel. Yes, Cain became very defiant toward God. He shed his own brother's blood.
In finding Cain in the field, God asks about his brother Abel. And Cain spits venom toward God. Then God tells him that he was under a curse driven from the ground. YIKES!
And he is told that it will no longer yield its crops for Cain.......a restless wanderer on the earth...Cain would become. DO WE SEE THAT TODAY?
Think of never seeing anything you plant grow! We love tomatoes. And every year we buy two plants, and they are blessed by God the moment we get them. We have one right now about seven feet tall and it is producing awesome tomatoes we have shared with family. They are so good and taste like an actual tomato, where the ones from the grocery store sometimes have no taste at all! Interesting! I think it is sad to think that whatever you tried to plant would never grow, but just die!
So, is there any area in our lives where we are touching something, trying to change to suit us, that should never be done? What will we take to make our lives what we desire it to be? Will we seek out the God who created us and find that plan, that special love He has for us in following His guidance and intruction?
In touching something that is not to be touched, we see those take on diseases that are rampant since the 1980's.
Revelation 2:12-17...............These are the words of him who has the sharp, double-edged sword. 13 I know where you live-where Satan has his throne. Yet you remain true to my name. You did not renounce your faith in me, even in the days of Antipas, my faithful witness, who was put to death in your city-where Satan lives.
14 Nevertheless, I have a few things against you:
You have people there who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to entice the Israelites to sin by eating food sacrificed to idols and by committing sexual immorality. 15 Likewise you also have those who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans. 16 Repent therefore! Otherwise, I will soon come to you and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.
17 He who has an ear,
let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.
To him who overcomes, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give him a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to him who receives it. NIV
The Nicolaitans were a sect. They were steeped in paganism. Paul gave a warning on them in 1 Corinthians 8..........against evil practices, ........and speaking of them as weaker brethren.
The leader was Nicolas.........and is possibly the deacon we find in Acts 6:5. The sect held teachings equal to Balaam ......teaching Israel
to eat things sacrificed to idols and to commit sexual immorality. Their error was a moral one! It was a teaching that would lead to death for the one who followed that teaching!
Genesis 4:15-16.............Then
the LORD put a mark on Cain so that no one who found him would kill him. 16 So
Cain went out from the LORD's presence and lived in the land of Nod, east of Eden. NIV
Genesis 4:25-26.................25 Adam lay with his wife again, and she gave birth to a son and named him Seth, saying, "God has granted me another child in place of Abel, since Cain killed him." 26 Seth also had a son, and he named him Enosh.
At that time men began to call on the name of the LORD. NIV
At that time, we take note that it never says that Cain came back to the Presence of the Lord. We find that when Eve gave birth to a son Seth and when Seth had a son Enosh, then men began to CALL ON THE NAME OF THE LORD!
1 John 3:11-15.....................11 For this is the message that you heard from the beginning, that we should love one another, 12 not as Cain who was of the wicked one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his works were evil and his brother's righteous. 13 Do not marvel, my brethren, if the world hates you. 14 We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love his brother abides in death. 15 Whoever hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him. NKJV
Remember God does not hate the man or woman committing acts against their bodies, but HE DOES HATE THE SIN THAT IS COMMITTED!
BALAAM: Was not a prophet, but was given direction by God. But Balaam was given over to divination. All that he did was detestable to the Lord God. (Deut. 18:9-13)
We find in 1 Samuel 15:10 that divination is compared to "rebellion".
2 Kings 17:17 tells us that "divination" was the reason for Israel's exile. Divination is far from God's truth. It is a flat out lie!
2 Kings 17:17-18......................17 And they caused their sons and daughters to pass through the fire, practiced witchcraft and soothsaying, and sold themselves to do evil in the sight of the LORD, to provoke Him to anger. 18 Therefore the LORD was very angry with Israel, and removed them from His sight; there was none left but the tribe of Judah alone. NKJV
In Numbers 22, we find Balaam not following the instructions given to him by God. Balaam was now wanting financial gain as we keep reading about him. God's unchangeable. To the pure He will show Himself pure.
Psalm 18:26-27.................
26 With the pure You will show Yourself pure;
And with the devious You will show Yourself shrewd.
27 For You will save the humble people,
But will bring down haughty looks.
NKJV
Balaam showed himself to be the son of carnality according to 2 Peter 2:15.
2 Peter 2:15-16..................15 They have left the straight way and wandered off to follow the way of Balaam son of Beor, who loved the wages of wickedness. 16 But he was rebuked for his wrongdoing by a donkey-a beast without speech-who spoke with a man's voice and restrained the prophet's madness. NIV
It was amazing, a donkey who could not speak, was speaking to Balaam,
Balaam would not listen to godly counsel, and in the end, the Lord sent a donkey to speak to him. How loving God is to correct us, and how rude, how offensive one can get when they want to do "their thing".
Numbers 22:21-23:41..........21 Balaam got up in the morning, saddled his donkey and went with the princes of Moab. 22 But God was very angry when he went, and the angel of the LORD stood in the road to oppose him. Balaam was riding on his donkey, and his two servants were with him. 23 When the donkey saw the angel of the LORD standing in the road with a drawn sword in his hand, she turned off the road into a field. Balaam beat her to get her back on the road.
24 Then the angel of the LORD stood in a narrow path between two vineyards, with walls on both sides. 25 When the donkey saw the angel of the LORD, she pressed close to the wall, crushing Balaam's foot against it. So he beat her again.
26 Then the angel of the LORD moved on ahead and stood in a narrow place where there was no room to turn, either to the right or to the left. 27 When the donkey saw the angel of the LORD, she lay down under Balaam, and he was angry and beat her with his staff. 28 Then the LORD opened the donkey's mouth, and she said to Balaam, "What have I done to you to make you beat me these three times?"
29 Balaam answered the donkey, "You have made a fool of me! If I had a sword in my hand, I would kill you right now."
30 The donkey said to Balaam, "Am I not your own donkey, which you have always ridden, to this day? Have I been in the habit of doing this to you?"
"No," he said.
31 Then the LORD opened Balaam's eyes, and he saw the angel of the LORD standing in the road with his sword drawn. So he bowed low and fell facedown.
32 The angel of the LORD asked him, "Why have you beaten your donkey these three times? I have come here to oppose you because your path is a reckless one before me. 33 The donkey saw me and turned away from me these three times. If she had not turned away, I would certainly have killed you by now, but I would have spared her."
34 Balaam said to the angel of the LORD, "I have sinned. I did not realize you were standing in the road to oppose me. Now if you are displeased, I will go back."
35 The angel of the LORD said to Balaam, "Go with the men, but speak only what I tell you." So Balaam went with the princes of Balak.
36 When Balak heard that Balaam was coming, he went out to meet him at the Moabite town on the Arnon border, at the edge of his territory. 37 Balak said to Balaam, "Did I not send you an urgent summons? Why didn't you come to me? Am I really not able to reward you?"
38 "Well, I have come to you now," Balaam replied. "But can I say just anything? I must speak only what God puts in my mouth."
39 Then Balaam went with Balak to Kiriath Huzoth. 40 Balak sacrificed cattle and sheep, and gave some to Balaam and the princes who were with him. 41 The next morning Balak took Balaam up to Bamoth Baal, and from there he saw part of the people. NIV
Yes, the called man of God, steep in his madness, could not see with spiritual eye, the Angel of the Lord stopping his own way to terrible harm. He was certainly a fool who followed his own lusts for financial gain. He did not even want to wait on God for His leading in verse 22....Balaam was off and running into mischief, into carnality, into terrible sin with consequences.
Numbers 31:7-8.................7 They fought against Midian, as the LORD commanded Moses, and killed every man. 8 Among their victims were Evi, Rekem, Zur, Hur and Reba--the five kings of Midian.
They also killed Balaam son of Beor with the sword. NIV
In Chapter 31 of Numbers we find the death of Balaam, the son of Beor.
In earlier Blogs, I wrote on the characteristics of a leader. In "LEADERSHIP, A CHALLENGE TO GROW", we looked at some characteristics of a leader.
In Balaam, we see a man who much like Judas Iscariot. One who could surrender to God and His kingdom, yet follow a continuous walk into of covetousness and even some wickedness. It is like the Jekylll and Hyde character.
He was the type of unrighteousness. What we have read from 2 Peter 2:15, we see the example of Balaam as the type of insincere Christian teacher. We can not and will not advance the kingdom of God by allowing the unholy union, a blasphemous joining or association with those of the world following profane ways and living them out to their own end of destruction.
WE ARE NOT TO COMPROMISE OUR MORALS TO ACCOMMODATE THE WORLD!
KORAH: We find Korah in Numbers
16:1-49.....he led a revolt against Moses and Aaron. We do know that he was a son Izhar and related as a 1st cousin to Aaron. It is in jealous that he rose up against the leaders Moses and Aaron.
A group, the Reubenites wanted to lead Israel and thought it best for their tribe to do so. Enters 4 in charge of the plot to stop Moses and Aaron. These had 250 leaders to bring charges before the public meeting. They were wanting their EQUAL TIME WITH GOD OR ACCESS TO HIM!
In giving instructions, Moses told them they would put the matter into the Lord's hands and direct Korah and the rest to bring some containers of an incense as offering to the Lord. As directed Korah went and with those who followed him gathered at the door of the tabernacle. The Lord appeared. .......Numbers 16:21.
In prayer, Moses and Aaron did intercede in saving Israel......the decision was for Moses favor..........the ground opened it's mouth.........and swallowed ALL THE MEN OF KORAH........Numbers 16:32
God has those which will be leaders and they lead by influence. It is that influence that is seen and experienced. In God, a leader leads with His wisdom and His life!
Leadership is a problem solved and not by what you or I look like. For me, I am more influenced by what problem you have solved than what you have accomplished to lead others. There are some leaders who just add more problems and do not solve any! Any idea what camp they might be from?
Leaders are faithful to what they are given. They follow those directions and keep them on course.
Leaders are those who walk in integrity. Jesus always spoke and did what He saw His Father speak and do.
Lastly, the communication thing, is a very important way to connect with others. (If we are leading, then we need to connect with all men or women involved in that event or happening, to see that all ARE welcome, AND NOT LEAVE THE COMMUNICATING TO SOMEONE ELSE. That word to communicate might not get out at all!) IT works when the lead pastor is planning a time to minister to others as in a women's event. But leaving the communication to be given possibly expecting another family member to give it out, does not and will not work! The same goes with anyone outside of church, we do not read people's minds, and if there is a complaint or situation then it must be voiced for the problem to be solved!
Back to COMMUNICATION, IT IS Not just ABOUT trying to connect because it is a job or even ministry,
but because communicating with others, helps us to see the skills, the talents and to ask questions about those we seek out. Leaders will keep deadlines, know their opponent and will try to avoid conflict. But when needing to address a situation, it should not be like Korah did. We are to always look for the potential in another. We are to look at what God has placed within them?
We should not be those who are seeking those who think like us, but gather with those who think like God does. He is real, and He is more real to me than those who walk down the street with their cell phones in hand!
In speaking with those who are saved and with those who are wandering and lost can represent some challenges. But one thing is certain and God will direct those of His to the Word of God ...........and He will always correct a son........!
Proverbs 3:11-12.......11 My son, do not despise the LORD's discipline
and do not resent his rebuke,
12 because the LORD disciplines those he loves,
as a father the son he delights in. NIV
If we find a loved one following the way of the world into homosexuality, into drugs, or into shameful lusts as alcohol and things that occur during those drunken moments, we can find and speak scripture over them if the Lord is directing us in that direction. We can speak to them in love and direct them to life in God's Word, but we also pray.......and leave them to God.
Romans 1:26-27.................26 Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. 27 In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion. NIV
1 Corinthians 7:1-3................. 2 But since there is so much immorality, each man should have his own wife, and each woman her own husband. 3 The husband should fulfill his marital duty to his wife, and likewise the wife to her husband. NIV
Leviticus 18:22..........22 You shall not lie with a male as with a woman. It is an abomination. NKJV The Bible does not disclose that talking will wake up those who are evil and follow the lusts of the world. But one thing is evident, and it is they are headed for very painful consequences. We still love those who fall to such depths of painful consequences. We desire what God desires for them. He desires them to live out that which He predestined for them from the foundation of the world. He made them all unique, just like it did those who follow Jesus. And it is our prayer that they will awaken to the things of God!
As followers of Jesus, even we have to be awakened to arise and shine. We are to be awakened by worshiping God and giving praise to Him.
Psalm 57:7-8........7 My heart is steadfast, O God,
my heart is steadfast;
I will sing and make music.
8 Awake, my soul!
Awake, harp and lyre!
I will awaken the dawn. NIV
As those leaders, who pray for other leaders and families, we are to awaken our hearts to hear God in those quiet moments. When faced with someone who is thinking toward a gender change. or a gender reassignment, remember God created each of us with a plan that is uniquely ours. Why would I want to change what God, the creator of the heavens and earth created...........and say, He made a mistake? I think not! He is the all-knowing, ever present, and powerful God! He is not some old man sitting in a rocker, with a shawl draped around His shoulders, no He is God Almighty!
PRAY FOR THE AWAKENING TO COME TO ALL, NOT ONLY THE RIGHTEOUS BUT THOSE WHO HAVE FALLEN DEEP INTO SOMETHING THAT WILL BRING ONLY DEATH AND DESTRUCTION TO THEM. IF YOU HAVE A LOVED ONE WHO HAS GONE THAT WAY OF KORAH, BALAAM, OR CAIN, PRAY FOR THEIR HEART TO BE TURNED TO THE LORD. PRAY THAT WE AS INTERCESSORS WILL CARRY OUT THE PLAN OF PRAYER FOR BROTHERS AND SISTERS WHO HAVE THAT CALL OF GOD ON THEIR LIVES. PRAY FOR LIFE TO COME, FOR EYES TO BE OPENED, HEARTS SOFTENED AND TO SEE THAT GOD IS ALIVE.
Father, thank You for the gift of Your Son Jesus to us. You are holy, worthy and mighty. It is You who destined us to be a part of Your family. We pray today for families to be strengthened in and through You. We ask protection over our families, those touched by things of the world. Help us to pray in the way we must to keep the devil out of our children's lives, out of a brother or sister's life today who has made them think that You God made a mistake. We pray for their eyes to be opened and their hearts receptive that God is the Creator and
He makes no mistakes. He does not lie! (Numbers 23:19)( 1 Samuel 15:29) Father today we pray to have the wisdom of God that begins with a holy life characterized by getting along with others. Help us to be instruments that will develop a community that lives right with YOU. Help us Lord to grow in the prayer room. We choose to align ourselves with YOUR Word that speaks and directs us to the Kingdom of God.
Father, make us strong and courageous. Help us not to be afraid of anyone else, for You, the Lord our God, go with us; You will never leave us or forsake us. (
Deuteronomy 31:6) For those we seek to pray for, those who have wandered from truth and given themselves over to a lie, help us to pray for those who are who have the mistaken identities of the world. there is no need for a gender reassignment. For those we pray for, Lord may they know truth. As You go before, make the rough places smooth; shatter the doors of bronze and cut through their iron bars. Give to them the treasures of darkness and hidden wealth (riches) of secret places, in order that they may know that it is YOU , the Lord, the God of Israel who calls them by name. (
Isaiah 42:2-3) Father lead those we pray for today. Lead them from the blinded ways they have gone the way of, and guide them into Your glorious Presence so that they might hear Your voice. Just as You who have called us is holy, so we are to be holy in all we do, for it is written, "Be holy, because I am holy.." (
1 Peter 1 16)
We thank You for the peace that You have left to us. We will not let our hearts be troubled, neither will we let it be afraid.
Now thanks be to YOU, Father Who always causes us to triumph in Christ Jesus. It is in His holy name we pray. Amen and Amen!
You can also visit my Youtube channel The Voice of Prayer for more teaching at (http://bit.ly/1tNyBhV)
